Brooklyn Music Milestones – December 2014

December 5, 2014 by David K. Moseder

Jay-Z & Warren Buffet on the Cover of Forbes Photo courtesy of Forbes.com

Jan. 5, 1975: The Wiz, Broadway’s rock-and-soul reimagining of The Wizard of Oz, opens at the Majestic Theatre. Playing the lead role of Dorothy is Bedford-Stuyvesant’s own Stephanie Mills. The show runs for four full years, with future Grammy winner Mills on board for the entire run.

Dec. 23, 1961: The Tokens’ The Lion Sleeps Tonight finishes its three-week run as the top single in the U.S., after which it hangs on for another seven weeks in the Top 40. The re-formed group includes Abraham Lincoln High School alumni Hank Medress and Jay Siegel and newcomers (and fellow Brooklynites) Mitch Margo and Phil Margo. A new lineup led by Siegel remains a successful touring ensemble.

Jan. 13, 2010: Jay-Z is featured side by side with Warren Buffett on the cover of Forbes 400, the financial magazine’s annual tribute to “The Richest People in America.””

Vic Mizzy Photo courtesy of Vic Mizzy.com

Jan. 15, 1861: The original Academy of Music, then located on Montague Street, presents it first concert: a program of classical music that includes works by Mozart and Verdi.

Jan. 20, 1966: The Don Knotts comedy The Ghost and Mr. Chicken, featuring a score by Brooklyn’s own Vic Mizzy, is released. Mizzy, most famous for writing the theme songs to The Addams Family and Green Acres TV series, goes on to compose the music for four more Knotts movies as well as films starring Tony Curtis and Sid Caesar.

Jan. 20-31, 1969: With Brooklyn born-and-raised keyboard player Robert Lamm doing most of the songwriting and lead vocals, Chicago Transit Authority lays down tracks for its self-titled debut album at New York’s Columbia Recording Studios. The double LP will eventually yield two top-10 Lamm-penned singles, Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is? and Beginnings, released under the band’s shorter, more familiar name, Chicago.

Artists on our Radar

Ricky Stein: Texas Roots in Brooklyn

Ricky Stein/ photo courtesy of the artist

If you’re looking for music inspired by New York City with a Texan flare, look no further than Ricky Stein, a Brooklyn-based artist originally from Austin, Texas. Stein is a singer-songwriter whose music is grounded by a combination of his upbringing in Texas and his present life in the bustling streets of New York City and Downtown Brooklyn. Stein has an impressive discography of singles and albums, and since moving to New York City in August 2016, he has released a full album, “Long Summer” and many singles. Stein’s music is best defined as Americana and roots, with folk-infused acoustic and electric guitars, and his lyrics paint vivid images of nature and life. The listener feels connected to Stein, as his musical stylings resemble talent from the likes of John Prine and Bonnie Raitt. His most recent single, “Passenger,” highlights Stein’s talents with a strong harmonica section. The song’s instrumentation and structure is built on one verse, which compliments the song’s message about the uncertainty and ominousness of being a passenger on a long journey. Another standout, “Street Lights,” is a lighthearted commentary on the comfort of hope, the street lights representing persistent light even in the dead of night. Stein’s live performances are carefully tailored, his sets performed at local venues in Brooklyn like Pete’s Candy Store and many other venues known to support live roots and country music. His talents are always showcased, whether performing a solo show with a guitar and harmonica or being supported by a full band. Stein’s upcoming months are packed with performances at many venues, including Saturday, January 11th at Skinny Dennis Bar in Williamsburg and Friday, March 7th at Sunny’s Bar in Red Hook. You won’t want to miss it!

... read article